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President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting chief justice of Nigeria (CJN). The swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday at the State House in Abuja. Kekere-Ekun’s inauguration makes her the second female CJN in the country’s history, after Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was CJN from July 2012 to November 2014. The acting CJN took her oath of office at about 11:38am and took her allotted seat in the council chambers — on the left of the president — at exactly 11:45am. Among those who witnessed the event were other justices of the supreme court; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the leadership of the house of representatives led by Julius Ihonbvere; Babajide Sanwoolu, governor of Lagos; and Olukayode Ariwoola, immediate past CJN. Also present were Georg...

The Supreme Court on Friday 23 August 2024 affirmed the victory of Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last governorship election. Kogi State governorship election was held on November 11, 2023. In a judgment, the apex court five-member panel held that the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and candidate Yakubu Muritala Ajaka, marked: SC/CV/654/2024 was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it Justice Sadiq Umar, who authored and read the lead judgment resolved all the three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants.

The Supreme Court on Friday 23 August 2024 l affirmed the re-election of Governor Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor of Imo State. In a judgment, a five-member panel of the court dismissed the appeal by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Athan Achonu for being unmeritorious. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, who authored and read the lead judgment, resolved the three issues identified for determination against the appellants. Justice Idris found that the appellants as petitioners at the election tribunal, failed to prove their case as required. He proceeded to affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision of the election tribunal, dismissing the appellants’ petition.

By Aderogba George Advocacy for Positive Behavioural Patterns Initiative (APBPI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO),has urged parents to prioritise vocational skills training for their children to reduce the rate of unemployment in the society. The APBPI Communications Director, Mrs Lilian Mann, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday. She said parents must begin to shift focus to vocational skills by equipping their children with practical skills and hands-on experience. Mann said parents must also begin to prepare the children for in-demand careers and emerging industries, foster strong work ethic,creativity and problem-solving skills. She added that “we must unlock the full potential of the young people, if parents fail...

Amb. Shirley Hills, President/Chairperson of ABLIS By Aderogba George The Organisers of Africa Business Leadership and Investment Summit (ABLIS) 2024 scheduled for Kigali, Rwanda, says the summit will contribute immensely in transforming Africa into a global business hub. President/Chairperson, ABLIS, Shirley Hills, said this at the Strategic Partner’s Conclave Meeting in Abuja on Thursday that the summit would hold between Oct. 7 and Oct. 12. Hills said that the six-day programme would focus on promoting competition among businesses in Africa. According to her, the summit will set the stage for improved Africa business climate and unprecedented economic collaboration within Africa, as well as how to grow the continent economy. She said the summit would pave the way for ...

Wife of the president and first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had launched an empowerment programme targeting 1000 women across each 36 states and the FCT, for grants totalling N1,850,0000,000.0 ( One Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira. The economic empowerment programme through the Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI) was for pre-selected women petty traders to strengthen their businesses, as each beneficiary went home with the sum N50,000. The venue of the Anambra State chapter of the empowerment programme witnessed a large turnout of women in SMEs, showing courage and resilience in their determination to overcome some of their business challenges. Presenting the keynote address on behalf of the first lady of Nigeria, wife of the state governor and Anambra first lady, Dr Mr...

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Thursday issued a renew licenses or get sealed directives to all Private Guard Companies (PGCs) operating in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The warning however only applied to security companies with expired licenses. The Commandant of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu who issued the order, said currently only 460 PGCs has operational licenses since August 2023 till date. He also revealed that three companies were sealed for operating illegally. He called on PGCs to ensure their operatives desist from using uniforms or acourtrement belonging to other military or paramilitary agencies. He said “those due for license renewal should go and renew their licenses, those using u...

The Federal Government plans increase to 30 percent youth inclusion in government, NewsSpecng learnt. Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio disclosed this on Thursday at the commemoration of the International Youth Day in Abuja. Bio also said government is also considering enacting a law that will guarantee a 30 per cent inclusion of youth in government in Nigeria. At the event rganised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with the theme "Forging the Future: Youth-Led MSMEs Innovating with Digital Solutions to Secure Sustainable Growth, Global Trade, and Resilient Food and Energy Systems", the Minister said the current government was doing a lot for the youth, adding that the Federal...

Vice-President Kamala Harris pledged a "new way forward" for all Americans as she formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday night, delivering a message of unity and urging voters to reject Donald Trump.November's election is a chance to "move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past", she said, bringing her party's convention in Chicago to a close as balloons rained down and supporters cheered.Ms Harris's speech capped off a four-day spectacle designed to highlight her backstory and shape the contours of what remains a vague policy agenda.She made history as the first black and Asian-American woman to lead a major party's presidential ticket. The 59-year-old officially became the Democratic nominee after a fast-moving few weeks that beg...

The Honourable Minister of Defence H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni , has strongly condemned in totality the gruesome killing of the Head of Gatawa District in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Isa Bawa describing it as wicked and unimaginable. In the light of this, the Minister has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, assuring that the Nigerian military will leave no stone unturned in bringing them to justice. "The killing of the District Head of Gatawa is a callous and cruel act that will not be tolerated," the Minister said. "We will do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and brought to book." He reiterated the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to f...

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was on Friday sworn-in as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Kekere-Ekun was sworn-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja around 11.38 am. She will operate in acting capacity until conformation by the Senate. Justice Kekere-Ekun after taking the Oaths of office joined the council meeting sitting at the left hand of President Bola Tinubu Justice Kekere-Ekun is assuming her new role as CJN following the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and her nomination and presentation to President Tinubu by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on August 15. Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is the second Nigerian female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who was the Chief Justice of Nigeria b...

Members of the NGO and other stakeholders in the water space posed for photograph during the conference By Aderogba George Rite Place Health Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has appealed for access to quality water for Nigerians to eliminate waterborne diseases. The NGO made the call on Thursday in Abuja at its 2024 International Conference, themed “Beyond Access – Quality Matters”. The NGO pledged to push the campaign to the grassroots across Nigeria. The conference, attended by stakeholders in the water quality space, aimed to highlight the importance of quality water in preventing waterborne diseases Dr Chukwumezie Okolo, President/Executive Director of Rite Place Health Initiative, emphasised the need for collective action to address waterborne dise...

Bandits have raided Moriki community in Zamfara State on Wednesday night, kidnapped over 10 locals and demanded N50 million ransom. A resident of Moriki community told the BBC Hausa Service on Thursday, that the bandits were disturbing the community and had earlier kidnapped other locals in the community. ”The bandits claimed that their cows were killed by the Commander in the community. They attacked the community and went from house to house picking our people, and gave today as the deadline for us to pay the N50 million,” he said. He said any time they needed money, the bandits had often attacked the community to kidnap people and kept them in captivity until ransom was paid. Not long ago, they collected N20 million from community members to allow the locals access their...

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as he retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria after a successful public service career. In a statement on Thursday, the president spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, the President commended the eminent jurist for his services to the nation, noting his impactful leadership of the judiciary and his efforts in enriching Nigerian jurisprudence, as well as in strengthening the fibre of the law. Justice Ariwoola had served as Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos divisions before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011. He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2022 and had also served the nation in diverse capacities as a judicial officer. The President thanks Justice Ariwoola and wishes him the ve...

President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the Ayoola family of Ilesa, Osun State over the passing of Justice Emmanuel Ayoola. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President extolled Ayoola’s dedication, integrity and courage to act in the interest of justice. The President also commiserated with the associates of the deceased and members of the Nigerian judicial society over the loss. “President Tinubu states that Justice Ayoola will always be remembered for his rare principles, discipline, brilliance, and impeccable jurisprudential knowledge. The President prays for the repose of the soul of the elder statesman and solace to his family,” said Mr Ngelale. The late Ayoola was a retired justice of the Supreme Court of Nig...

The world’s oldest person, Maria Branyas Morera, from Spain, has died at the age of 117. Her family disclosed it on her X account on Tuesday August 20, 2024 The World Guinness Record also confirmed Branyas’ passing on Tuesday in a post, stating “Guinness World Records is saddened to learn that the world’s oldest person, Maria Branyas Morera (USA/Spain), passed away yesterday, 19 August. Her death was confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group. Aged 117 years 168 days, she was the eighth-oldest person (with a verifiable age) in history. Maria passed away peacefully at the nursing home in Catalonia, Spain, where she resided for the past two decades.” Branyas was born in San Francisco on March 4, 1907 in San Francisco, after her family moved to the United States from Mexico. ...

The Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the Nigerian passport effective from September 1, 2024. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kenneth Udo, on the X handle of the NIS. The increment, according to the statement, aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport. The statement read, “As part of its efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, the Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the passport, effective from September 1, 2024. Based on the review, a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity previously charged at N35,000 will now be N50,000 only; while a 64-page passport booklet...

The Heads of Traditional Religion Worshippers, Ibadan chapter, have stated that they invited Alhaja Sarata Konibaje to the Isese Day Festival celebration and not the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun. Speaking on behalf of the Heads of Traditional Religion Worshippers in Oyo State, the Araba of Ibadanland and Olu Isese of Ibadanland, Chief Ifalere Odegbemi Odegbola II, clarified that it was the association that invited Alhaja Sarata Konibaje to the event and not Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, as alleged by some groups. "We use this medium to take responsibility for our error and tender our unreserved apology to Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun and all those who were offended by such unintentional mistake."We were not aware of such an order before." The Heads of Tradi...

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Wednesday abolished the ‘Park-and-Pay’ scheme, declaring it illegal. The Minister in during a media briefing to mark his first year in office as the FCT Minister, said the street parking scheme arrangment said was fraudulent. The scheme was initially introduced in 2014 and later was reintroduced in 2023 after the FCT administration signed a whopping N908.3 billion agreement with concessionaires NAJEC Limited and Messrs Automaten Technik Bauman Nigeria Limited, with an estimated N26.93 billion revenue for a 10-year term each. Wike however faulted the arrangement, saying he was not aware of the reintroduced scheme. He said the agreement had stipulated an 80 per cent payback to the contractors, with only 20 per cent of t...

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce the Supreme Court judgement delivered on 11th July, 2024 granting financial autonomy to Local Governments in Nigeria. The members of the committee are as follows: Secretary to the Government of the Federation - Chairman Hon. Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy -Member Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice - Member Hon. Minister of Budget & Economic Planning Accountant General of the Federation Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria Permanent Secretary (Federal Ministry of Finance) Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission Representative of State G...